Holy Roman Empire

Foreign Minister Weisenberg: "Not only the Central Asian battlefield needs attention, but the European continent is now at a critical moment of change.

Since the alliance between Britain and France, the French have become more and more rampant.Just last week, the French government bought the British Coal Association.

The British Coal Association has deviated from the International Coal Export Alliance and has taken the lead in reducing the price of coal exported to France by 20%, which is equivalent to the average price of coal export in the international market.

Now the French are putting pressure on Belgium and the North German Federation to increase their coal exports to France by 30.00% and to drop prices by 69%.

This price is not only far lower than the international coal price, but even lower than the domestic coal prices of several coal-producing countries in Europe.

In addition to various costs, some coal mines that are difficult to mine may directly fall into a state of loss. "

In fact, the average price of international coal exports was also raised because of the sanctions imposed on the French by the International Coal Export Union.

Without calculating the freight, the average coal price in Austria is about 20% higher, while the price of coal purchased in France is about 50% higher.

The export price is so high, plus all kinds of miscellaneous expenses, and finally in the hands of buyers, the price may exceed half.

Coal is a just-needed product, because the British-Austrian team led the action, and the French were unable to fight before.

After the alliance between Britain and France, the siege was broken and the international situation improved, so the French government couldn't help but take action.

After buying the British, he relied on his own fists to bully Belgium and the North German Federation.

As for Austria, another coal exporting confederation, its share in the international coal export market is so small that it was directly ignored by the French.

Although he didn't have a calculator, Franz also knew that the purpose of the French was to break the embarrassing situation of high domestic energy prices, and the test of European countries could only be considered second.

Although there was no calculator, Franz quickly came to the conclusion that if the average retail price of finished coal in Austria was 1, the previous purchase price in France was 1.5.

1.5*(1-0.69)＝0.465

The French just want to buy at 46.5% of the retail price. Taking into account miscellaneous taxes, freight, wholesale and retailer profits, this price is in the hands of French companies, which can basically achieve the same energy price as Austria.

This is only on par with Austria. In fact, Britain, a major coal-producing country, has an even lower domestic average coal price, about three to five percentage points lower.

It can be seen from these data that French industrial and commercial products are not competitive, not without reasons.

The huge profits in the coal industry are true, but they are not so huge. Domestic suppliers cannot get such low prices.

According to the current pricing given by the French, unless Belgium and the North German Federation exempt coal production companies from all taxes, otherwise most companies will suffer losses.

The French have no problem wanting to lower energy costs, but now the problem is that the French government wants Belgium and the German Federation to pay for them.

Prime Minister Karl was surprised: "The French are crazy, how can Belgium and North Germany accept such a price?

Even if the governments of the two countries choose to accept the French military threat, I am afraid that the capitalists will not agree. "

It's not "I'm afraid" but it will definitely not agree. Capital has begun to internationalize these years. Taking the coal mines in the Rhineland as an example, a large part of the mines have fallen into the hands of British and Austrian capital.

How can these capitalists accept such a price that harms their own interests?

The big deal is not to do business with the French, and there is no fear at all if you have a foreign investment background.In the end, those who are really affected are probably those who have no background...

Franz nodded: "If you want to kill them, you must first make them crazy. If the French are really so crazy, it is also a good thing for us.

These conditions have exceeded the bottom line of Belgium and North Germany, and it is impossible for the two countries to agree.

If the French dare to use force, Belgium and the North German Federation will fall to us. I don't mind sending troops to fight them for the sake of our allies.

But the French are not that stupid, they are not yet ready for war, and turning their faces now will not do them any good, this is probably just a temptation for them.

Now the lions are opening their mouths, just to test the bottom line of the two countries and lower the expectations of the two countries.

If nothing else, in the following negotiations, the French will show a little bit of goodwill, and the two countries will choose to compromise. "

There is no way, this is the helplessness of a small country, the sorrow of the weak...

Chapter 116 Add Blockage

There is no accident, as a responsible big country, Austria will naturally provide security protection for Belgium and North Germany.

On August 1888, 8, Franz issued the "Letter to the European People", clearly stating: Austria will be committed to maintaining the balance and stability of the European continent, and resolutely fight against the evil forces that destroy the European order.

As for whether the governments of the two countries dare to believe it, I don’t know.However, this announcement is still positive and has received widespread support from public opinion.

With Austria's promise, the two countries also have a little bit of confidence at the negotiating table.

There is really only a trace, because the war broke out and the two parties suffered the most losses. No one knows who will win in the end between France and Austria. Anyway, they are all losers in the middle.

Just because the governments of the two countries can be rational does not mean that the people will also be rational.After receiving an affirmative reply from Austria, a massive anti-French movement broke out among the people of the two countries.

In Brussels, demonstrators have blocked the streets. Even in the deep palace, Leopold II could clearly hear the protests of the people.

There is no doubt that all of them require the government to be tough on the law.Nationalism has risen, and the conditions put forward by the French have deeply stimulated everyone's self-esteem.

Prime Minister Auguste: "Your Majesty, we can no longer back down. The French will never die, and this is just the beginning.

Blindly giving in will not only fail to solve the problem, but will also make the French think that we are weak and bully, making us push forward even more. "

Obviously, Austria's clear position and the support of mainstream European public opinion have still affected the Belgian government.

Prime Minister Auguste, who has always been prudent and prudent, was also annoyed by the unreasonable demands of the French, and turned to support toughness.

Leopold II nodded, he also thought about being tough, but he didn't know what to do!

It is true that Belgium and Austria have a secret agreement, but it will take time before the outbreak of the war and the arrival of Austrian reinforcements. They still have to carry it out by themselves in the early stage. The possibility of the battlefield in Belgium is as high as 90.00% [-]...

If the Austrians were to be persuaded, or if they were a few days late, Belgium would cease to exist.Leopold II had no confidence in holding off the French invasion.

It cannot be stopped militarily, nor can it be retreated politically and economically.

Looking at the people gathered outside, one can see that if the unreasonable demands of the French are really agreed to, the country will explode first.

Not to mention economically, the Belgian government is waiting to go bankrupt if it loses such a large amount of income!

Leopold II asked: "How is the communication between the Foreign Office and the Germans? Do they agree to go with us?"

Foreign Minister Jules shook his head and said sarcastically: "The Germans are busy communicating with the British, hoping that the London government will interfere with the actions of the French."

Leopold II was very surprised and asked: "Don't they have brains?

If you want to interfere with others, you have already stated your position. At this point, it is simply whimsical to expect the British to intervene! "

Unable to be surprised by Leopold II, he knew with his knees that Britain and France had just formed an alliance. No matter what, at this point in time, the British government would not turn their faces with their most important ally for them.

Even Austria, which is most likely to interfere, has only stated its position now and has not directly involved in this negotiation.

In Leopold II's view, instead of continuing to entangle with the British, it is better to take the opportunity to promote the alliance of the three countries of Bideo to jointly curb the expansion of the French.

Foreign Minister Jules explained: "It may be that the British have made some promises to Hanover, and George I has always rejected being close to Austria.

However, other states in the German region are communicating with Austria. The Grand Duke of Baden will visit Vienna in the near future, which may also have something to do with this incident. "

Although the North German Federation is a mess, everyone's goal is still the same when it comes to safeguarding national interests.

It is unrealistic for the British to withdraw from the International Coal Export Alliance and continue to maintain high coal prices against France, but it is even more impossible to sign a low-price coal treaty with the French that humiliates the country.

In a sense, the approach of the North German Confederation is most in line with its own interests. Hanover, as the center, embraces the thighs of the British, and the small states in the country seek the support of Austria.

If you don't look at the face of the monk and the face of the Buddha, even if the negotiation fails, it is impossible for the French to attack them rashly.

Only in this way, Belgium will suffer.The relationship between the North German Federation and Britain and Austria is simply not comparable to them.

There is no shortage of men who shed blood for the nation these days. Once the French invade North Germany, regardless of whether the Austrian government is willing to join the war, the nationalists in the country will push Austria to the battlefield.

Even if the central government doesn't want to fight, the defenders on the border will do it themselves. Whoever dares to stop it will be against public opinion.

Although Britain may not necessarily turn against the French because of this, Queen Victoria's face will definitely be very exciting.

Even if you don't turn your face on the surface, and make some small moves against the French secretly, it will still happen.

Belgium did not receive such treatment. Although the relationship between Britain and Belgium was good, it was only good. The two countries were not allies with military obligations.

Because of its size, Belgium was not of great importance to Britain.Of course, the French annexed Belgium, and the British didn't want to see it either.

But it was just a beating, and it was not within the scope of British intervention.

Not to mention Austria, from the moment it became independent from the Holy Roman Empire, Belgium was not considered its own.

Although the two countries have signed a secret agreement, it does not mean that they will not be betrayed.The French want to annex Belgium, and Austria will certainly fulfill its obligations.

If they just beat them up, no one is sure whether Austria will go to war with the French for this.

In fact, what Leopold II is most worried about now is not being annexed by the French.

The annexation of a country in the European continent is very hateful. Before the acquiescence of the big powers, the French did not dare to risk the disgrace of the world.

The current military threat is to beat you up, and then change the government.For rulers, this is almost like subjugation.

After hesitating for a long time, Leopold II said slowly: "First appease the people outside and tell them that the government will never accept the unreasonable demands of the French.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued to negotiate with the French. The export price of coal can be reduced, but it cannot be much lower than the international average export price. "

No matter how threatening the French are, Leopold II still has the responsibility of a monarch, and he first chose to appease the domestic people.

After the emergence of the two major alliances, the smell of gunpowder on the European continent became stronger and stronger, and Leopold II was not unaware of it.

It's a pity that Belgium is only a small country, and it doesn't have the capital to become a trendsetter. Even the North German Federation, which is full of conflicts, is in a much better situation than them.

……

In Paris, Napoleon IV's face turned ashen when he read the "Letter to the People of Europe" issued by Franz.

It was originally a temptation, but I didn't expect that Austria would jump out and make trouble just after it started.

Having the support of a major country and not having the support of a major country are two completely different concepts.There is no doubt that it is impossible to get the two countries to accept the conditions at this time.

"Humph!"

With a sneer, Napoleon IV threw away the half-read "Letter to the People of Europe", cursing: "Damn the Habsburg dynasty, it really lingers, you are everywhere!"

France and the Habsburg dynasty fought for European hegemony for hundreds of years, and the grievances between the Bonaparte dynasty and the Habsburg dynasty also ran through the anti-French war.

In recent decades, although it has eased, the contradictions between the two countries have not decreased, but have been increasing.

It's just that in order not to take advantage of other countries, the two governments subconsciously covered up the conflicts on the surface, and the two sides did not know how many times they had fought in secret.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin comforted: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry about such a trivial matter.

Although the two countries did not accept our conditions, the bottom line of each country was still tested by us.

Even Austria, which seems to be the toughest, is only clamoring loudly. If they really want to stand up for Bee and Germany, they will directly participate in the negotiations.

As it is now, it seems to be supporting the two countries, but in fact it is only limited to spiritual support.

No substantive action has been taken. If they really want to make them go to war with us for the sake of the two countries, the Austrian government will probably still hesitate. "

In a sense, there is really no need for Napoleon IV to be angry, and the current result is much better than expected.

It would be perfect without Franz's disgusting "Letter to the People of Europe".

Napoleon IV sneered: "So what, the bottom line of European countries is indeed very low, but what we are going to do still challenges their bottom line.

The three countries of Britain, Russia and Austria do not want us to make up for the last shortcoming. Didn't even our good allies warn us? "

From the perspective of the outside world, among the major powers, only Austria has publicly expressed support for the two countries and condemned the actions of the French government.

But in secret, Britain and Russia also expressed their dissatisfaction to the French government.

Perhaps this kind of secret warning is not very strong, but it is still an invisible pressure on the French government.

Prime Minister Terrence Bulkin: "It's a good start anyway.

Although European countries still reject us, they are no longer united and have their own little calculations.

On the issue of encircling us, the three major powers, Britain, Russia and Austria, have already had differences.If it is not limited by geographical location, I am afraid Austria will not be so active.

The hearts of the governments of the two countries have been beaten down by us.In the following negotiations, we only need to make a slight concession, and the two governments should accept it.

The falling cost of coal will definitely have a certain promotion effect on the domestic industry and economy.The new prosperity is not far away. "

……

Chapter 117 Backfired

The turbulent international situation has not affected Austria's development plan for the Near East.Forging iron still needs to be hard on your own, otherwise you will not be able to grasp the opportunity when it comes your way.

It has been four years since the Near East Development Program was launched in 1884.

For a country, four years can only be regarded as a small episode; for a place, however, earth-shaking changes can take place.

Compared with the depression that just experienced the war four years ago, today's Near East has become a large construction site.

Railways are moving forward like dragons; small towns have sprung up; old towns are still being demolished, and new towns have begun to be built.